AFTER seeing the depth of sacrifice from UK and US service personnel, an Oxfordshire resident plans to cycle across America to fundraise.

Tom Von Kaenel, from Freeland, near Witney, will cycle 4,200 miles to try to raise £5m for UK forces charities, including The Royal British Legion and Help for Heroes, and another $10m for US forces charities.

He began his epic journey this week by symbolically cycling the repatriation route from RAF Brize Norton to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

And tomorrow, he sets off from Seattle on the 4,200-mile ride to Washington DC.

Mr Von Kaenel was inspired to fundraise after spending time in a US army hospital in Germany after seriously injuring himself in an accident in 2009 while cycling in France.

The 56-year-old said: “I was in a trauma ward with injured soldiers evacuated from Afghanistan.

“There were some that had suffered traumatic brain injuries and others that were victims of improvised explosive devices.

“I was awestruck by their depth of sacrifice and by the devotion the medical personnel.

“I swore that if I was able to walk again I would do this to raise awareness and support for the UK and US military.

“I am still recovering, but I am committed.

“It is something that cannot wait until I am well because I do not know if I will ever be 100 per cent.”

  • For more details of the ride and to make a donation, click on the link below.